Cleveland, OH
Cleveland native remembers playing “mean elf” in a Christmas classic
CLEVELAND — Not many movies stand the test of time, but “A Christmas Story” is a genuine classic.
The 1983 film only lasted a month in the box office but has since become a cult classic, drawing fans to the Cleveland home where it was shot all year long. One northeast Ohio native had a small but memorable part in the film and made lifelong friendships.
Drew Hocevar may be remembered for playing the “mean elf” in the film, but he’s anything but.
Known as the “male elf” in the credits, it’s the only acting role Hocevar has ever auditioned for. He was working at Higbees department store when he got the part.
“They just called me, and I got the elf part!” he said.
He said it was just something fun to do. Being a teacher is what really paid the bills. Hocevar is a former special education teacher and now volunteers as a mechanic working on the merry-go-round at the Western Reserve Historical Society.
Some of the artifacts he saved from the movie are on display at the museum.
“I snagged my hat and ran,” he said.
He said the rest of the costume was thrown away.
Hocevar’s cast-signed poster and bb-gun are on display at the museum
The museum has a few other special “A Christmas Story” displays, including Lego sculptures depicting memorable scenes from the movie including Hocevar’s scene of him pushing kids down a slide on a fake snow-topped mountain.
Over 40 years later he remains friends with some of the cast including his elf counterpart and recently had lunch with her.
The movie plays numerous times throughout the holiday season, but Hocevar said he tends not to watch. His friends, however, have a special name for Christmas Day.
“24 hours of Drew!” he said.
The NBA world is waiting in anticipation to see what 41-year-old LeBron James will do next with his career, and the story just got more interesting.
Over the weekend, Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson had a quote that turned heads. “You guys know there’s a little free agency thing going on right now. That could be our real jump, and you know what I’m talking about. That’s exciting too.”
“We’re in the mix for the greatest player of all time”
Cavs Head Coach Kenny Atkinson discusses with @WorldWideWob, @DarthAmin, and Ryan McDonough what it would be like to have LeBron return to Cleveland
Hear our Summer League coverage! ⬇️https://t.co/jnEcXNELrs pic.twitter.com/RLf47TlpM5 — SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) July 12, 2026
The Cavaliers coach also went on to say, “Listen, this is an exciting time for us, right? Like we’re in the mix for, you know, the greatest player of all time… I think you’re nervous, but we understand how it is. He’s obviously earned that right to take his time.”
Major Interest
The Cavaliers knew roster changes needed to happen following their exit from the playoffs in the Eastern Conference Finals. While making the conference finals was an achievement, getting swept embarrassingly by the eventual champion New York Knicks showed one thing: this team still had a clear gap to close if they were to win a championship.
A quote like this from an NBA coach is not typical in the slightest. Atkinson is making his interest in LeBron clear on a national stage, and rightfully so. LeBron brings a skill set the Cavaliers have been missing since his departure: a lengthy forward who can help with spacing while also adding playmaking, postseason experience, and late-game control.
A New Mentality
Aside from roster fit, LeBron can bring something this team has needed for quite some time: a new mentality. The Cavaliers have been labeled as soft, stemming from a quote such as “the lights were brighter than expected” by Jarrett Allen after a series loss to the Knicks in 2023.
“Even for me, the lights were brighter than expected.”
– Jarrett Allen on his playoff struggles
(Via @SpinDavies ) pic.twitter.com/f9ax5rUXkJ
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 27, 2023
LeBron, despite his age, still has his championship mentality. This is evident from his playoff series against the Rockets while he was still with the Lakers this past May. LeBron led the Lakers past a younger, arguably more talented team in the Rockets to advance to the second round.
The hope is that this championship mentality can rub off on the Cavs’ younger talent while LeBron wraps up his career in the wine and gold.
It looks like everyone is waiting on what “The King” does next, including his next potential head coach. This is for good reason, as LeBron could be the missing piece needed to take the Cavaliers to the next level, not only because he remains one of the greatest players of all time, but because he could bring a championship mentality to a core that desperately needs it.
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CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A massive water main break and a possible sinkhole was reported in Cleveland Monday afternoon.
A 19 News crew is on scene at the intersection of E 130th Street and Buckeye Road for the possible reported sinkhole and a water main break.
According to the Cleveland Division of Water, the break on Buckeye Road is a 10-inch water main and a repair crew is on the way.
The water has been shut off, but the area remains closed due to the debris and for cleanup.
19 News has made call outs to officials for more information.
This is a developing story. Return to 19 News for updates.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The body of a missing boy in Lake Erie was found Sunday afternoon, according to the Cleveland Fire Department.
Multiple agencies searched Lake Erie Saturday night and continued searching Sunday morning for a young boy who was reported in the water near the East 55th Street Marina.
The search for the boy had turned into a recovery mission before Metroparks divers discovered the body, Cleveland Fire Chief Mike Norman said.
Cleveland Fire, Metroparks and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources responded to the call, which came in just before 9 p.m. Saturday.
Search efforts
Cleveland Fire said crews responded to a report of a child in the water. A fire boat made multiple passes over the area, shining a light into the water. Two divers were also sent into the lake to search for the child. No body was found.
A helicopter was also spotted flying over the water near the bank, searching with a spotlight.
The Cleveland Fire Department said at 10:15 p.m. Saturday that its crew in the lake would be ending their search soon.
Cleveland fire crews said Sunday that they resumed the search for the missing boy before turning operations over to a recovery mission.
Chief Norman said Metroparks divers are transporting the body and receiving assistance from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
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